What a special time of year. Having just returned from being away this weekend in St. Louis for an ICD (Institute for Challenging Disorganization) board meeting, I was amazed to see the shift in fall colors. In just a few short days, the landscape in New York had changed yet again. That’s the magic of this season. I also noticed how possibilities were visibly present in many ways. I discovered them on different types of pages.

Blank Pages

This past weekend, I began writing in a new journal, since I finished my last one several weeks ago. I’ve been consistently keeping journals for over 40 years. On the plane back from St. Louis, I made my first entry. I opened the book and saw many blank pages ahead. As I wrote, I recognized that these empty pages, while blank were filled with possibilities. The pages will eventually include successes, failures, joys and sadness, struggles, wins, seed ideas, and dreams realized, observations, experiences, feelings yet to be discovered, explored and imagined, history, love, family, friends, ah-has, quiet reflections, ponderings, complaints, cheers, lists, travels, and gratitude. Possibilities will one day ink the currently blank pages.

Full Pages

Shifting from blank pages to full ones, I just began reading Todd Henry’s new book, Die Empty. While the title is a bit morbid, the book is in fact filled with hope and possibilities. Henry says that living a meaningful life includes not just thinking about what’s possible, but taking action steps necessary to realize your dreams and make a significant contribution. It’s a possibility guide with concrete and creative ideas. He includes great thought-provoking questions including, “Did the work I did today really matter?”

Open Pages

Today began with an early morning walk along the Hudson River. While there were many things on my “to do” list, the day felt open and brimming with possibilities. As I walked, I breathed deeply, stopping to take in the waft of hot pink, citrus-scented flowers and slight saltiness of the sea air. I felt the bright, warm light and cool breeze accompany me as I moved. The river ebbed and flowed as I journeyed down the path stopping to photograph and just enjoy the view before me. Birds chirped, trains chugged, and water sloshed against the rocks. Before me was an open landscape of possibilities.

What will you discover on your possibility pages? Are they blank, full, open, or something else? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

In the warm, fall sun near the beautiful river, the tall grasses go through cycles from still to bold movement. The wind guides the motion. We are not that different from these grasses. We can adopt a possibility agenda in a quiet or adventurous way. Choose an agenda that’s right for you- something that is comfortable or encourages you to stretch.

Baby Steps

What small and different choice can you make which will yield the possibility of a new result? Think about doing something different this day, hour, or moment. Take a small chance. Make a small change. Will you adopt a new habit like putting something away instead of down? Will you let go of one item today to reduce a cluttered area? What’s possible with a baby step?

Forward Steps

Think a bit larger by focusing on near future options like next week or month. What can you add to your possibility agenda that will allow you to think farther? Will you review your schedule to plan your time more efficiently for next week? Will you work on organizing one closet so that by the end of the month you’ll no longer have to struggle to get dressed? What’s possible with a forward steps agenda?

Giant Steps

Longer-term thoughts have the possibility of bringing big goals to fruition. Will you write that book that’s bubbling inside you?  Will you organize and prepare your home to be ready for next year’s move? Fear or discomfort might be experienced with thinking big and taking on more. What’s possible with a giant steps agenda?

The wind blows. The grasses respond. And stillness returns. Where will your thoughts take you? Which thoughts will bloom into actions? What’s possible for you? Come join the conversation.

What becomes possible when we shift our thinking to the “what if” mode? I’m talking about letting go and allowing ideas to generate without judgment or negative commentary or disparaging remarks. Where will your thoughts take you?

In truth, permitting yourself to dream and allowing the “what ifs” to surface can be challenging for some. Is it for you?

Enjoy some space to explore...

Do you need help getting your “what if” juices flowing?  If so, try one of these strategies:

1. Nature Nudge – Being outside, especially this time of year when the fall leaves are changing color, helps us expand our thinking. On several recent outside jaunts, it was impossible not to feel inspired by the views around me. The expansiveness of nature’s beauty opened my mind to larger, unencumbered thinking. Being surrounded by the fresh air and blue skies allowed me to breathe in positivity.

2. People Nudge – Having stimulating conversations with your people (family, friends, or colleagues) is a great way of encouraging the “what if?” mode. Being around others that are thinking big and imagining what’s possible can inspire us to expand beyond our current constraints. I just returned from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) conference in Denver where I had the opportunity to exchange ideas with wonderful colleagues from around the world. It was definitely a “what if?” idea booster.

3. Paper Nudge – Allow your inner thoughts to be captured on paper. This is another way to shift into the possibility-thinking mode. If paper isn’t your medium, try other ways to download your ideas like using a voice recorder or computer. I use a combination of techniques including writing with a pen in my journal, typing on a keyboard, and talking out loud with others.

There are many other ways to get the “what if” thoughts flowing. Have you tried, organizing your space, traveling, exercising, creating, showering, or reading? What actions work for you? What’s possible this season? Come join the conversation. 

Sitting by the river brings me peace, energy, and connectedness. Each season feels different. With fall's arrival, the river is noticeably changed. Today the water is fierce as the waves move swiftly with a sense of purpose. The sun moves in and out behind the large, white fluffy clouds.  The clouds regulate the changing light and temperature between dark and bright, cool and warm. The wind makes the grasses and leaves rustle loudly. I'm surrounded by the intensity of movement of the water, foliage, clouds, and wind.

In experiencing this gorgeous fall day, I am noticing internal changes including thoughts about action and possibilities that mirror the landscape before me. I feel a renewed sense of urgency and direction.

What I've noticed is that several things in addition to the change of seasons, have encouraged me here. They included visiting new places, reading books, and adding a few more "yeses" to the plan. If you are feeling like it is time to be energized, perhaps one of these ideas will help you.

3 Tips to Feed the Possibilities

1. Feed the Soul - No matter how much we love our every day spaces, there is nothing quite as enervating as getting out and changing our scenery. It doesn't take much. It can be for an hour, day or longer. I recently had two, day trips that infused me with energy. I visited new places, enjoyed beautiful surroundings including the ocean and changing fall colors, and appreciated the company of special people. I returned from those days rejuvenated and ready for “next.”

2. Feed the Mind - Reading is a wonderful way to solidify ideas, stretch the mind, and stimulate possibilities. I recently finished Gretchen Rubin's new book, Happier at Home. By the way, she'll be our Ask the Expert guest featured this December. I just began reading Still Procrastinating? by Dr. Joseph Ferrari. He was one of the fabulous speakers I heard at the ICD conference in Chicago. Both books are rich with ideas that have sparked me to begin some new projects.

3. Feed the Engagements - Many of you know that I'm a huge advocate for bringing "no" back into the mix. Boundaries are important. When we over-commit, we can become resentful, overwhelmed, or both. I am very careful about choosing my "yeses." While I don't like to miss opportunities, being stressed out I enjoy even less. With this new season, I am feeling ready and open to introducing more "yeses" into my vocabulary. The openness to possibilities and opportunities fills my being with hope and excitement.

How about you? What feeds your possibilities? Come join the conversation.